 Vaught-Hemingway Stadium/Hollingsworth FieldOn the southeast side of the University of Mississippi campus stands historic Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, a landmark of Ole Miss tradition and an anchor for the strong future of Rebel football. The stadium and gameday experience have undergone a number of upgrades since the 2011 season, including video and sound quality, concessions, restrooms and aesthetic improvements. Plans for a north end zone expansion are underway as part of Ole Miss Athletics’ Forward Together capital campaign. Among the newest upgrades to the facility was a new $6 million integrated system featuring a large high definition video display that was installed at the open of the 2008 season. The Daktronics video display is one of the largest true high definition displays in the Southeastern Conference. A new sound system rounded out the stadium's newest upgrades. Vaught-Hemingway received another upgrade in 2009, as FieldTurf synthetic grass was installed on the stadium's playing surface (it was natural grass from its beginning until 1970; Astroturf from 1970-84; natural grass again from 1985-2002; and AstroPlay synthetic from 2003-08). Although Ole Miss is the first SEC school to install FieldTurf in its stadium, more than 100 top NCAA programs play or practice on the top-of-the-line surface, as well as 21 NFL and several MLB teams. The stadium increased its capacity to 60,580 in 2002 with the bowling in of the south end zone, making it the largest facility in the state. With the additional seating, the Rebels have set record-breaking attendance figures over the last nine years, drawing all 10 of the largest crowds in school history. The momentous Ole Miss-Alabama encounter last year attracted a crowd of 62,657, the largest ever to watch a football game on campus in Mississippi. The Rebels' matchup with LSU in 2003 gathered 62,552 fans, and the 2004 Tennessee game drew 62,028. The stadium, known as Hemingway Stadium for much of its existence, began its long historic life in 1915 when students at the University helped in the construction of the first football grandstand at the site of the present field. The construction of the stadium and its permanent foundation was a three-year, federally-sponsored project. Stadium capacity was originally listed at 24,000. During the summer of 1988, the stadium received a major facelift, highlighted by a new press box, new aluminum sideline seating and a club level section for 700 people. Renovations continued in the summer of 1990 when lights were added to the stadium. A Sony JumboTron scoreboard/message center was added for the 1997 season. In 1998, the Guy C. Billups Rebel Club Seating area was completed, placing an upper deck on the east side of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The addition, which includes a special seating section with an enclosed concession and lounge area, pushed capacity to over 50,000. The stadium is named for the late Judge William Hemingway (1869-1937), professor of law and longtime chairman of the University's Committee on Athletics. On Oct. 16, 1982, John Howard Vaught saw his name added to the stadium. Vaught compiled a 190-61-12 record as head football coach at Ole Miss and brought the Rebels National Championships in 1959, 1960 and 1962. At the 1998 season opener vs. Memphis, the field was named in honor of Dr. Jerry Hollingsworth for his continuing generous support to Ole Miss athletics.
TOP CROWDS AT VAUGHT-HEMINGWAY STADIUM
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